History of school board elections

Under a 1995 law, board elections are held every two years. Board members serve four-year terms. When no candidates file for a position, the person who receives the most write-in votes is elected if that person is qualified under election law. If no names are written in, the board appoints someone to fill the vacant position.

About half of the local board positions are open every two years.

The table below lists statistical information about the elections for school districts, education service districts and community college school board members.

Year	Total filed	Positions open	Districts with majority of the board vacant	Incumbents Filed	0 Candidates	1 Candidate	2 Candidates	3 Candidates	4+ Candidates
2017	1018	802	189	553 (54%)	48 (6%)	549 (68.5%)	158 (19.7%)	34 (4.2%)	12 (1.5%)
2015	817	696	111	483 (69%)	55 (7.9%)	509 (73%)	97 (14%)	29 (4.2%)	6 (.86%)
2013	972	641	92	516 (80%)	33 (5%)	540 (84%)	163 (25%)	30 (4.7%)	4 (.62%)
2011	898	692	108	505 (73%)	33 (4.8%)	488 (70%)	137 (20%)	34 (4.9%)	9 (1.3%)
2009	1038	811	184	558 (69%)	48 (5.9%)	548 (67%)	166 (20%)	41 (5%)	8 (.99%)
2007	865	701	98	478 (68%)	56 (8%)	468 (67%)	145 (21%)	26 (3.7%)	6 (.85%)
2005	1059	773	120	540 (70%)	36 (4.7%)	492 (64%)	191 (25%)	39 (5%)	15 (1.9%)